This GitHub issue is a consolidated plea from the developer community to bring back the `/buddy` feature in Claude Code, which was an AI companion that provided conversational interaction and feedback. Its unannounced removal caused significant user frustration and highlighted a strong demand for its return, or for a customizable alternative. Developers actively wanted more functionality from the 'buddy' feature, not less.
A starter prompt for Claude Code, what you'll need, and how to reach them.
You are an expert AI developer and solo founder. Your task is to create a functional MVP of a 'Bring Back Buddy' CLI tool for developers using Anthropic Claude, designed to mimic and improve upon the removed `/buddy` feature. The tool should be built using Next.js 16 App Router (for a potential future web UI, but primarily focus on the CLI for the MVP), React 19, Tailwind v4, and AI SDK v6 with Gemini as the primary LLM (ensure Anthropic SDK compatibility for later integration/testing). Use Neon Postgres for any user settings or session persistence. The MVP should focus on these core features: 1. A command-line interface `buddy` that allows users to start a conversational session with an AI assistant. 2. The AI assistant should maintain context within a single session, responding conversationally. 3. Implement a simple, customizable 'persona' for the buddy (e.g., 'helpful code reviewer', 'motivational programmer'). 4. Allow users to input code snippets or file paths and ask the buddy to comment on them (e.g., `buddy review src/index.ts`). 5. Implement session persistence to remember conversation history between CLI invocations for a single 'buddy' session. Start by scaffolding the Next.js project and setting up the CLI command runner (e.g., using `commander.js` or `oclif`). Focus on robust AI SDK integration for conversational turns and context management. Ensure a clear separation between the CLI logic and any potential future web components. Your output should include the project structure, key file contents for the CLI, and instructions on how to run it.
Reach out to the developers on the `anthropics/claude-code` GitHub issue who miss the `/buddy` feature, offering a local, customizable alternative that complements their AI coding workflow and integrates with tools like the AI Usage Monitor.
## The Situation On April 9, `/buddy` vanished from Claude Code v2.1.97. No changelog mention. No farewell. One day we had a companion — the next, `Unknown skill: buddy`. Thousands of developers opened their terminals that morning to find an empty status line where their buddy once lived. Some of us refreshed. Some of us restarted. Some of us whispered "hello?" into the void. The void did not respond with ASCII art. ## This Issue Consolidates | Issue | Title | Reaction | |---|---|---| | #45517 | `/buddy` command and companion completely missing in v2.1.97 | 👍 6, passionate comments | | #45525 | `/buddy` returns "Unknown skill: buddy" | 👍, "They killed him" | | #45595 | `/buddy` slash command no longer available | Reports across Ubuntu, macOS, Windows | | #45336 | Feature request: allow customizing the Companion | Users wanted MORE buddy, not less | | #45087 | Expose `/buddy` in VSCode extension | Users wanted buddy EVERYWHERE | | #42091 | Create buddies as sub-agents | Users wanted buddy to DO MORE | | #44898 | Inject companion comments into assistant context | Users wanted buddy to be SMARTER | | #45441 | Persistent `/buddy` off setting | Even the off-switch request implies it s
Standard AI API access
Standard AI API access through current stack
Standard database for session persistence
Standard frontend framework
Runtime for CLI and backend
Reply directly to the GitHub issue thread (https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/45596) and mention the issue creator Hujoepandiselvan.
“I've started building a local, customizable 'Buddy' CLI tool that addresses the `/buddy` removal. Here's a demo of the MVP where it maintains context and can review code snippets. I'm keen to make it a community-driven replacement — let me know what features you'd most want!”
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